Illuminated book mark

Abstract

A device for discreetly illuminating theater programs for reading in a darkened theater, including an elongated generally flat top surface portion having a proximal end and a distal end and a first width and defining a display surface, an elongated generally flat bottom surface portion spaced from the generally flat elongated top surface portion and extending generally parallel to the elongated generally flat top surface portion and having a second width less than the first width, a first side portion extending between the generally flat top and bottom surface portions and disposed substantially perpendicular to the generally flat top and bottom surface portions, a second side portion extending between the generally flat top and bottom surface portions, wherein the generally flat top and bottom surface portions and the first and second side portions define a housing, a generally cylindrical recess formed in the housing, a translucent elongated slit formed in the second side portion and directed away from the elongated generally flat top surface portion, and a light source disposed in the generally cylindrical recess. Activation of the light source shines light through the slit.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A device for discreetly illuminating theater programs for reading in a darkened theater, comprising in combination:
 an elongated generally flat top surface portion having a proximal end and a distal end and a first width and defining a display surface; 
 an elongated generally flat bottom surface portion spaced from the generally flat elongated top surface portion and extending generally parallel to the elongated generally flat top surface portion and having a second width less than the first width; 
 a first side portion extending between the generally flat top and bottom surface portions and disposed substantially perpendicular to the generally flat top and bottom surface portions; 
 a second side portion extending between the generally flat top and bottom surface portions, wherein the generally flat top and bottom surface portions and the first and second side portions define a housing; 
 a generally cylindrical recess formed in the housing; 
 a translucent elongated slit formed in the second side portion and directed away from the elongated generally flat top surface portion; and 
 a light source disposed in the generally cylindrical recess; 
 wherein activation of the light source shines light through the slit. 
 
     
     
       2. The device of  claim 1  wherein the light source is a chemical light stick. 
     
     
       3. The device of  claim 1  wherein flexing the housing activates the light source. 
     
     
       4. The device of  claim 1  and further including a clip member connected to the housing and extending parallel to the elongated generally flat bottom surface portion. 
     
     
       5. The device of  claim 1  and further including advertising media operationally connected to the elongated generally flat top surface portion. 
     
     
       6. The device of  claim 5  wherein when the light source is activated, the advertising media are backlit. 
     
     
       7. The device of  claim 1  and further including a movable cover operationally connected to the housing for at least partially closing the slit to light passing therethrough. 
     
     
       8. A system for reading a theater program in a darkened theater during a production, comprising in combination:
 a) locating an apparatus for discretely illuminating a portion of a page in a relatively dark environment, wherein the apparatus includes:
 a generally flat elongated housing portion for containing and directing a light source, wherein the housing portion defines a substantially flat top portion; 
 a light source disposed within the housing portion; and 
 an optical slit formed through the housing portion for directing light from within the housing in a direction away from the substantially flat top portion; 
 
 b) actuating the light source to produce light; 
 c) placing the apparatus adjacent a page to be read; 
 d) shining light through the slit onto the page to be read; and 
 e) reading the page; 
 wherein the light shining through the slit is sufficient to read the page by substantially insufficient to distract neighboring theater audience members; and 
 wherein the apparatus is actuated by bending the housing.